Wealth Management in Denver, Colorado
Modern Wealth Management Denver (Formerly Brown and Company)
Address
250 Fillmore Street, Suite 475
Denver, CO 80206
Meet Our Denver Modern Wealth Management Team
Shannon Balmer
Director of Operations
Denver, CO
Shannon Balmer
Director of Operations
Denver, CO
Department: Internal Operations
Shannon Balmer is the Director of Operations, overseeing the day-to-day functions of the Denver office and supporting the team in delivering a consistent and thoughtful client experience.
Shannon was part of Brown & Company—a Denver-based wealth management firm serving clients across the country—before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026. She joined the team in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of experience in financial services. Prior to that, she spent five years as a philanthropic advisor at Colorado College, working with family foundations and high-net-worth donors.
Shannon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Colorado College. She lives in Castle Pines with her husband and three children and enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with family.
Danielle Berz, CFP®
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Danielle Berz, CFP®
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Department: Advisors
Danielle Berz is a Managing Director who helps clients navigate important financial decisions with clarity and confidence. She works closely with individuals and families to align their investments, tax strategies, estate planning, and long-term goals into a cohesive plan.
Danielle was part of Brown & Company—a Denver-based wealth management firm that served clients across the country—before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026. She joined the team in 2013 after beginning her career at UBS, where she focused on high-net-worth clients. She is a CFP® professional, bringing specialized expertise to complex planning situations.
Danielle earned her degree from the University of Washington, where she also competed on the women’s crew team. Born and raised in Golden, Colorado, she now lives in Denver with her husband and son. She enjoys snowboarding, working out, hiking and exploring restaurants.
Mark Brown, CFP®
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Mark Brown, CFP®
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Department: Advisors
Mark Brown is a Managing Director with more than 40 years of experience helping business owners, executives, and families make confident financial decisions. He specializes in bringing clarity to complex financial situations—aligning investments, taxes, estate planning, and long-term goals into a cohesive strategy.
Prior to joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026, Mark founded and led Brown & Company, a Denver-based wealth management firm that served clients across the country. His disciplined, long-term approach has earned recognition from Barron’s, Forbes, and the Financial Times, and his insights have been featured in outlets such as CNBC and The Wall Street Journal.
Mark is deeply involved in the Denver community, supporting organizations such as Colorado UpLift and the Rotary Club of Denver Southeast. He enjoys golf, clay shooting, and spending time with his three sons.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION*
- Forbes Best-In State Wealth Advisors (2025, 2026)
- Barron’s Top Financial Advisors (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Forbes Top Advisors List (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Financial Times Top 400 Advisors List (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
- Denver Business Journal – Top 20 Colorado Wealth Advisors (2006-2008, 2011, 2014)
- Denver Business Journal – Forty Under 40 (1998)
- Denver Business Journal – Top 25 Investment Managers and Financial Planners (2007, 2011, 2014 – 2018)
- Registered Rep. Magazine – Top 100 Independent Advisor (2007–2010)
- Worth Magazine – Top 250 Wealth Advisors (2008)
- Worth Magazine – Top 100 Wealth Advisors (2007)
- DENVER Magazine – Premier Colorado Advisor, Recognized for Financial Planning excellence (2010)
- Best of Colorado Biz Magazine – Wealth Managers & Financial Planners (2015, 2018Who’s Who in Denver Business/Financial Planning (2000)
MEDIA
Frequent Commentator and Professional Resource for:
CNBC • NBC • ABC • Fox News • 9News • The Wall Street Journal • LA Times • Money magazine • Newsweek • Time magazine •
Denver Business Journal • The Denver Post • Chicago Tribune • Investment News • Journal of Financial Planning
*Barron’s awards are based on assets managed, revenue, and quality of practice. DBJ Top 25 Colorado Wealth Advisors award based on credentials, compensation structure, client retention rate and quality of practice. DBJ Forty Under 40 award based on notable accomplishments in the community. DBJ Top 20 Investment Managers and Financial Planners award based on total assets managed. Registered Rep awards based on assets under management. Worth awards based on expertise, integrity and dedication to the field of wealth management. Denver magazine award based on 20 categories of practice management such as experience, credentials, philosophy and fee structure among other factors. The Five Star Wealth Manager award for 2012, 2013 & 2015 is based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth Managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012, 2013 & 2015 Five Star Wealth Managers. Who’s Who in Denver award is based on achievement in the profession.
Best of Colorado Wealth Managers & Financial Planners as reported by the Biz Magazine Readers Choice 2015 & 2018 polling results.
Selected industry recognitions listed above were awarded by third-party organizations based on their own criteria and methodologies. These recognitions are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. No compensation was provided to obtain these rankings unless otherwise noted. Criteria may include factors such as assets under management, experience, regulatory record, and peer or industry input. Additional details regarding each award’s methodology are available from the issuing organizations.
Justin Cassida, MBA, CFP®
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Justin Cassida, MBA, CFP®
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Department: Advisors
Justin Cassida is a Managing Director who leads client service for the Denver office, ensuring each client receives thoughtful, coordinated guidance across every aspect of their financial life.
Justin was a key member of Brown & Company—a Denver-based wealth management firm that served clients across the country—before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026. Since 2001, he has helped clients develop personalized strategies that integrate investments, tax planning, and long-term goals.
He holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University and began his career as a financial advisor in Dallas.
Justin lives in Littleton, Colorado, with his wife and three children. Outside the office, he enjoys skiing, the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Jonathan Kuiter, MBA
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Jonathan Kuiter, MBA
Managing Director
Denver, CO
Department: Advisors
Jonathan Kuiter is a Managing Director specializing in business development. He plays a key role in connecting prospective clients with the right planning solutions and has been instrumental in driving new business to the firm. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset and is actively involved in advancing the firm’s growth strategy.
Jonathan was part of Brown & Company—a Denver-based wealth management firm serving clients across the country—before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026.
Originally from the Netherlands, Jonathan earned his MBA and played professional baseball before moving to the United States. He began his career in business immigration before transitioning into wealth management.
Jonathan lives in Denver with his wife, Ciara, and enjoys hiking, reading, pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.
Amy Schmitt
Executive Assistant
Denver, CO
Amy Schmitt
Executive Assistant
Denver, CO
Department: Internal Operations
Amy Schmitt is an Executive Assistant who plays a key role in supporting both clients and the advisory team, helping ensure a seamless and organized experience.
Amy was part of Brown & Company before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026 and has worked closely with Mark Brown since 2022. She brings extensive experience in client relations and executive support, including her previous role as executive assistant to a CEO at a telecommunications company, where she also served as a board liaison and coordinated client and corporate events.
Originally from Colorado Springs, Amy returned to Colorado in 2019 after living in Illinois and Arkansas. She lives in Denver with her partner, Chrispin, and their dog, Mya, and enjoys spending time with family, exploring the city, and outdoor activities.
Zach Swaffer, CFP®
Client Service Manager
Denver, CO
Zach Swaffer, CFP®
Client Service Manager
Denver, CO
Department: Client Service
Zach Swaffer is a Client Services Manager focused on building long-term relationships and helping clients navigate their financial lives with clarity and confidence. He works closely with clients to support financial planning, portfolio analysis, and ongoing strategy implementation.
Zach was part of Brown & Company—a Denver-based wealth management firm serving clients across the country—before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026. He joined the team in 2021 after beginning his career at Trilogy Financial, where he earned his CFP® designation and developed experience in financial planning and investment analysis while building and managing his own client relationships. He also completed the Credit Analyst Leadership Development Program with Chemical Bank.
Zach earned his Bachelor of Arts in Financial Management from Hillsdale College, where he was a member of the football team.
Ellewynn Tieszen
Director of First Impressions
Denver, CO
Ellewynn Tieszen
Director of First Impressions
Denver, CO
Department: Internal Operations
Ellewynn Tieszen is the Director of First Impressions, creating a welcoming and positive experience for clients both in person and over the phone. She is often the first point of contact and plays an important role in setting the tone for the client experience.
Ellewynn was part of Brown & Company before joining Modern Wealth Management in April 2026. She joined the team in 2021 after working in the hospitality industry and teaching English as a second language in Istanbul, Turkey. Her background in service and communication brings a thoughtful, client-focused approach to her role.
Originally from Yankton, South Dakota, Ellewynn moved to Denver in 2017 to be closer to family. She enjoys traveling, theatre, nature and spending time with her cat Penny.
Modern Wealth Management Denver (Formerly Brown and Company)
Welcome to Modern Wealth’s Denver office. Formerly Brown and Company, our practice has been a cornerstone of private wealth management in the Denver area for decades. While our name has evolved to reflect our partnership with Modern Wealth Management, our core mission remains entirely unchanged: providing sophisticated, highly personalized financial guidance to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals, and executives.
When existing clients and new families walk through our doors, they are greeted by the same dedicated professionals who have guided them through market cycles, life transitions, and generational wealth planning. The transition from Brown and Company to Modern Wealth represents a thoughtful evolution designed to enhance the client experience, bringing robust technology, specialized tax capabilities, and broader investment platforms to the table without sacrificing the boutique, high-touch service model our clients have come to expect.
Our Story: From Brown and Company to Modern Wealth Management
The foundation of our Denver practice was built on a simple but powerful premise: wealth management should be as unique as the individuals it serves. For over 40 years, Brown and Company has provided private wealth services to clients throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Mark R. Brown, CFP®, alongside a talented team of financial professionals, built a practice that functions more like a private family office. We never believed in cookie-cutter portfolios or off-the-shelf financial plans. Instead, we spent time at the kitchen table and the boardroom, understanding the nuanced aspirations of business owners preparing for an exit, executives navigating complex compensation packages, and families striving to leave a meaningful legacy.
As the financial landscape grew more complex, so did the needs of our clientele. To ensure that our clients always had access to the most advanced financial strategies, institutional-level investment opportunities, and comprehensive family office services, Brown and Company made the strategic decision to integrate with Modern. Today, as Modern Wealth Management Denver, we continue the proud legacy of Brown and Company. Clients continue to work directly with Mark R. Brown and the familiar faces of our veteran advisory team. The continuity of these relationships is our greatest asset, ensuring that the vital institutional knowledge we hold regarding your family’s financial history remains uninterrupted and secure.
An Award-Winning Team
The financial services industry is built entirely on trust, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Over the years, our team has been consistently recognized by some of the most prestigious publications in the financial world.
Our advisors, led by Mark R. Brown, have frequently been named to elite industry rankings. We are incredibly proud to have been recognized by the following organizations*:
- Barron’s: Recognizing our team on their Top Financial Advisors lists for nearly two decades.
- Forbes: Highlighting our advisors on the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Top Advisors lists.
- Financial Times: Featuring our practice on the elite Top 400 Advisors list.
- Denver Business Journal: Honoring us among the Top 20 Colorado Wealth Advisors and Top 25 Investment Managers and Financial Planners.
These awards are more than just plaques on our walls; they are strong, verifiable indicators of the Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) that we bring to every client relationship.
Comprehensive Private Wealth Services
Our approach to wealth management goes far beyond standard investment advice. We serve as a personal financial resource, helping simplify complex financial decisions and provide a clearer understanding of your financial position over time. Because we serve a diverse clientele, ranging from tech entrepreneurs in Boulder to energy executives in downtown Denver, our service suite is vast, adaptable, and highly customized.
Strategic Investment Management: We design custom portfolios tailored to your specific risk tolerance, timeline, and goals. By leveraging the expanded resources of Modern Wealth, we provide access to a broader range of investment options, including alternative investments and private markets. These strategies can complement traditional asset allocation approaches.
Advanced Tax Planning: For high-net-worth families, tax mitigation is just as important as investment generation. We work closely with your CPAs and our internal tax specialists to ensure your wealth is structured in the most tax-efficient manner possible, protecting your assets from unnecessary erosion.
Executive Compensation & Business Transitions: Denver is a hub of innovation and rapid business growth. We specialize in helping executives manage stock options, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation. For business owners, we craft comprehensive exit strategies, ensuring that the liquidity event you have worked so hard for is managed smoothly and profitably.
Philanthropic and Charitable Planning: Beyond personal wealth, many of our clients are deeply passionate about giving back to the Denver community and beyond. The legacy of Brown and Company includes a strong commitment to local organizations. We actively participate in philanthropic endeavors, such as Colorado UpLift. We bring this same passion to your charitable planning, helping you establish donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, and family foundations. This approach may help support your philanthropic goals while offering potential tax benefits to your estate, depending on your individual circumstances and applicable tax rules.
Estate and Legacy Planning: Often, the most important aspect of wealth is not the money itself, but the values and security it passes on to the next generation. We utilize tools like the Family Love Letter and advanced trust structures to ensure your wealth is transferred according to your exact wishes, minimizing the emotional and financial burden on your heirs.
Visit Our Denver Office
We believe face-to-face interaction can be an important part of the financial planning process. While we leverage cutting-edge technology to provide you with a seamless digital client experience, our doors are always open for deep, strategic conversations about your financial future.
Our office is conveniently located in the vibrant Cherry Creek North neighborhood, providing a private and welcoming environment for our clients. Whether you are an existing client who has been with us since the Brown and Company days, or a new investor looking for sophisticated wealth management, we invite you to connect with us.
Modern Wealth Management Denver (Formerly Brown and Company)
250 Fillmore Street, Suite 475
Denver, CO 80206
Phone: 303-863-7112
At Modern Wealth Management Denver, we are proud of our history as Brown and Company and are incredibly excited about the future we are building with our clients. Let us handle the complexities of your financial landscape, so you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying the wealth you have built and the life you have created.
*Barron’s awards are based on assets managed, revenue, and quality of practice. DBJ Top 25 Colorado Wealth Advisors award based on credentials, compensation structure, client retention rate and quality of practice. DBJ Forty Under 40 award based on notable accomplishments in the community. DBJ Top 20 Investment Managers and Financial Planners award based on total assets managed. Registered Rep awards based on assets under management. Worth awards based on expertise, integrity and dedication to the field of wealth management. Denver magazine award based on 20 categories of practice management such as experience, credentials, philosophy and fee structure among other factors. The Five Star Wealth Manager award for 2012, 2013 & 2015 is based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth Managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012, 2013 & 2015 Five Star Wealth Managers. Who’s Who in Denver award is based on achievement in the profession.
Best of Colorado Wealth Managers & Financial Planners as reported by the Biz Magazine Readers Choice 2015 & 2018 polling results.
Selected industry recognitions listed above were awarded by third-party organizations based on their own criteria and methodologies. These recognitions are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. No compensation was provided to obtain these rankings unless otherwise noted. Criteria may include factors such as assets under management, experience, regulatory record, and peer or industry input. Additional details regarding each award’s methodology are available from the issuing organizations.
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